The Washington Redskins have informed wide receiver Josh Doctson they will decline his fifth-year option just ahead of Friday’s deadline, according to NBC Sports Washington’s JP Finlay.
The Redskins will avoid paying Doctson close to $10 million for the 2020 season by declining the fifth-year option. He will carry still make $1.8 million for the upcoming season with a $3.2 million cap hit.
Since being drafted in the first-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Doctson has largely been a disappointment with his time in Washington marred by injuries and underwhelming play.
In his rookie season he missed 14 games with mysterious Achilles injury. He returned in 2017 collecting 35 receptions for 502 yards and six touchdowns. He had 44 receptions and 532 yards and two touchdowns in 2018, but that was not enough for Washington to pick up the $10 million price tag.
Doctson was brought in a potential replacement for the departed Pierre Garcon, however, he never materialized into being such a favorable option. Washington drafted two wide receivers in last week’s NFL Draft — Terry McLaurin of Ohio State in the third round and Kelvin Harmon of North Carolina State in the sixth round. Both wide receivers have connections to first-round pick quarterback Dwayne Haskins.
With Washington already set to move on from Doctson, the additions of McLaurin and Harmon will be interesting towards the depth chart at wide receiver for the upcoming season.
